Learn English Grammar and Vocabulary
Posts tagged modal auxiliary verb
Uses of Ought (to)
Sep 30th
Ought was originally the past tense of owe, but now it refers to present and future time. Ought is different from other auxiliaries in that it is followed by an infinitive with to. You ought to do it. (NOT You ought do it.) Ought is not as forceful as must, but it is stronger than [...]
Uses of May
Sep 29th
May is used to ask for and give permission. May I come in, Sir? Yes, you may. May I go now? No, you may not. Nowadays may not is not commonly used to deny permission. Instead we use cannot. ‘May I go now?’ ‘No, you can’t.‘ This usage is probably encouraged by the fact that [...]
Uses of Could
Sep 29th
Could is the past tense of can. It is used to talk about ability that existed in the past. In my younger days I could run four miles at a stretch. Till last year, I could read without glasses. Notes: Could refers to past time only when the context makes it clear. Could is the [...]
Uses of Can
Sep 29th
Ability Can expresses ability. She can sing. I can dance. Can you speak English? She can play tennis very well. Can is also used in the sense of may to give permission, though may is more correct. You can take one of these books, if you like. (OR You may take one of these books, [...]
Uses of Should
Sep 29th
Should expresses duty or obligation. I should talk to him. We should seek his opinion. You should tell the truth. He should work hard. Should can be used in conditional clauses expressing possibilities. If he should come, ask him to wait. Should it rain, we will not go out. ‘If he should come’ indicates less [...]
Modal Auxiliary Verb Will
Sep 29th
With the first person Will expresses determination. It may also express ideas such as promise, threat or willingness. Determination I will go, whatever happens. We will not surrender. I will not give up. Promise I will try to find you a good job. Threat We will dismiss you from service. He will be prosecuted. Willingness [...]
Modal Auxiliary Verb Would
May 8th
Would is a modal auxiliary verb. It is the past tense of will. After would, we use an infinitive without to. He would help us. (NOT He would to help us.) She would come. (NOT She would to come.) Questions and negatives are made without to. Would you help us? (NOT Do you would help [...]